ABERDEEN’S Mikey Devlin admits it’s a blow to have his red-card appeal kicked out by the SFA.

The defender was ordered off after just five minutes against Kilmarnock for a foul on Eamonn Brophy.

Although the players were still nearly 40 yards from goal, referee Craig Thomson deemed it a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

There was widespread surprise when the decision was upheld by an appeals panel.

Devlin is desperate to keep his place in the Dons’ side, especially after missing nearly a year of football with a cruciate injury before moving from Hamilton Accies.

He said: “When you’ve been out for a long time, you don’t want to miss any more games than you have to.

“I missed a full season last year, so when you’re back in the swing of things, you don’t want to miss anything.

“I was hopeful that the red card would be overturned, but the decision has been made now and I just need to try to get on with that and get myself ready for the next game, which is Motherwell, if called upon.”

The 24-year-old hopes it won’t be long before he’s back on the pitch alongside Scott McKenna.

His central-defensive colleague suffered a torn hamstring in the first league game of the season, but was still the subject of multi-million-pound bids during the transfer window.

Devlin has been hugely impressed by McKenna and believes they can form a great partnership.

He said: “We live together, so I’m trying to keep him positive through the injury.

“He copes very well. He’s very laid-back and takes things in his stride.

“Watching him, you can see he’s something special. But you don’t get a true reflection until you train with them and play alongside them.

“When I make mistakes, he is there to clear up for us, and that’s massive. You see his attributes and why he is going to go to the top level.

“He’s as rounded a centre-back as I’ve played with. As a modern-day central defender, I don’t think there’s anything he doesn’t have.

“He can play football, he can defend, he can impose himself on other players, he is quick. He has everything.

“There’s also a level head to go with it. That’s probably the most impressive part of him.

“He just eats and sleeps all the time. It’s like looking after a kid. Honestly, he’s the most laid-back, down-to-earth guy I’ve ever met.

“From a selfish aspect, I’m absolutely delighted that my big mate is still there. He didn’t let any of the speculation bother him. He just concentrates on his football.”